Rep. David Kustoff Applauds FCC Approval of Cellphone Jamming for Federal Prisons

WASHINGTON - Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to advance a rulemaking that would allow prisons and other correctional institutions to deploy cellphone jamming technology that combats contraband devices. The FCC's action was applauded by Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN), a longtime proponent of the technology who led several colleagues in submitting a letter yesterday that encouraged the vote.

"I salute the efforts of the FCC and Chairman Carr to make cellphone jamming in prisons possible," said Congressman Kustoff. "I have been a vocal supporter of similar policies for years and have sponsored legislation to address contraband cellphone use in prisons. Stopping criminals from illegally using phones stops crime."

Congressman Kustoff introduced the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2025, H.R. 2350, in the U.S. House of Representatives in March of this year. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas introduced a companion bill, S. 1137, in the U.S. Senate

Criminals use contraband cellphones to coordinate illegal activity while incarcerated, posing a serious threat to public safety, correctional employees, and other inmates. It is a problem nationwide. One study referenced by the FCC found that more than 25,000 such phones had been discovered by authorities in a single year. The phones can be delivered to prisoners through a variety of illegal means-including visitor smuggling and even drone deliveries to jail yards-and then used to facilitate criminal activity.

Today's action by the FCC authorized a framework for cooperation between departments of correction and wireless carriers for jamming only those phones that are considered contraband. The policy is designed to prevent any harmful interference to wireless carrier networks or the devices of Americans who live, work, and travel near prisons.

"There's no reason that it should be possible for prisoners to order hits, organize gang activity, and traffic drugs from the comfort of a jail cell," added Kustoff. "These crimes destroy communities and lives. If there's no signal, there's no crime."

Click here to read a copy of the letter that Congressman Kustoff and colleagues sent to FCC Chairman Carr and the FCC encouraging them to advance the rulemaking.

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